Decay Scheme Research Articles

Spectroscopy of excited states of unbound nuclei Ar30 and Cl29

Several states of proton-unbound isotopes $^{30}$Ar and $^{29}$Cl were investigated by measuring their in-flight decay products, $^{28}$S+proton+proton and $^{28}$S+proton, respectively. A refined analysis of $^{28}$S-proton angular correlations indicates that the ground state of $^{30}$Ar is located at $2.45^{+0.05}_{-0.10}$ MeV above the two-proton emission threshold. The theoretical investigation of the $^{30}$Ar ground state decay demonstrates that its mechanism has the transition dynamics with a surprisingly strong sensitivity of the correlation patterns of the decay products to the two-proton decay energy of the $^{30}$Ar ground state and the one-proton decay energy as well as the one-proton decay width of the $^{29}$Cl ground state. The comparison of the experimental $^{28}$S-proton angular correlations with those resulting from Monte Carlo simulations of the detector response illustrates that other observed $^{30}$Ar excited states decay by sequential emission of protons via intermediate resonances in $^{29}$Cl. Based on the findings, the decay schemes of the observed states in $^{30}$Ar and $^{29}$Cl were constructed. For calibration purposes and for checking the performance of the experimental setup, decays of the previously-known states of a two-proton emitter $^{19}$Mg were remeasured. Evidences for one new excited state in $^{19}$Mg and two unknown states in $^{18}$Na were found.

65Zn and 133Ba standardizing by photon-photon coincidence counting

The LNMRI/Brazil has deployed a system using X-gamma coincidence technique for the standardizing radionuclide, which present simple and complex decay scheme with X-rays of energy below 100 keV. The work was carried on radionuclide metrology laboratory using a sodium iodide detector, for gamma photons, in combination with a high purity germanium detector for X-rays. Samples of 65Zn and 133Ba were standardized and the results for both radionuclides showed good precision and accuracy when compared with reference values. The standardization differences were 0.72 % for 65Zn and 0.48 % for 133Ba samples.

Dose rate conversion parameters: Assessment of nuclear data

The dating of materials using stored dose methods requires accurate determination of the environmental dose rate. The calculation of dose rates from radionuclide concentrations requires conversion parameters derived from nuclear data (half life, decay energies and intensities, and branching ratios). With the substantial body of primary data, it is convenient to use data from evaluated libraries. These libraries show variations reflecting both newer data unavailable to earlier evaluations and the relative importance given to different data sets by the evaluators. Commonly used conversion parameters derive from the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF), either directly or from secondary publications, with new tabulations produced in recent years following revisions to this library. Other international evaluations of nuclear data include the NEA/OECD supported JEF2.2 and JEFF3.11 evaluations, and the Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP). A technique comparing different evaluations to identify data that can not be confidently used has been developed. These differences have been investigated with an evaluation of underlying nuclear data. Particular radionuclides of interest are discussed; 214Bi where recent evaluations depend on a single high precision data set, 228Ac where the decay scheme is incomplete and further measurements are required, and 40K where the mean beta energy has been calculated in the evaluations using an incorrect shape factor. Revised dose rate conversion factors have been produced, which are largely consistent with earlier values with the exception of the 40K beta parameter which is 4% higher than recent values but consistent with earlier calculations.

Enstatite chondrites EL3 as building blocks for the Earth: The debate over the 146Sm–142Nd systematics

The 146Sm–142Nd extinct decay scheme (146Sm half-life of 103 My) is a powerful tool to trace early Earth silicate differentiation. Differences in 142Nd abundance measured between different chondrite meteorite groups and the modern Earth challenges the interpretation of the 142Nd isotopic variations found in terrestrial samples because the origin of the Earth and the nature of its building blocks is still an ongoing debate. As bulk meteorites, the enstatite chondrites (EC) have isotope signatures that are the closest to the Earth value with an average small deficit of ∼10 ppm in 142Nd relative to modern terrestrial samples. Here we review all the Nd isotope data measured on EC so far, and present the first measurements on an observed meteorite fall Almahata Sitta containing pristine fragments of an unmetamorphosed enstatite chondrite belonging to the EL3 subgroup. Once 142Nd/144Nd ratios are normalized to a common chondritic evolution, samples from the EC group (both EL and EH) have a deficit in 142Nd but the dispersion is important (μ142Nd=−10±12 (2SD) ppm). This scatter reflects their unique mineralogy associated to their formation in reduced conditions (low fO2 or high C/O). Rare-earth elements are mainly carried by the sulfide phase oldhamite (CaS) that is more easily altered than silicates by weathering since most of the EC meteorites are desert finds. The EL6 have fractionated rare-earth element patterns with depletion in the most incompatible elements. Deviations in Nd mass independent stable isotope ratios in enstatite chondrites relative to terrestrial standard are not resolved with the level of analytical precision achieved by modern mass spectrometry techniques. Here we show that enstatite chondrites from the EL3 and EL6 subgroups may come from different parent bodies. Samples from the EL3 subgroup have Nd (μ142Nd=−0.8±7.0, 2SD) and Ru isotope ratios undistinguishable from that of the Bulk Silicate Earth. EL3 samples have never been analyzed for Mo isotopes. Because these enstatite chondrites are relatively small in size and number, they are usually not available for destructive isotopic measurements. Average values based on the measurement of EL6 samples should not be considered as representative of the whole EL group because of melting and thermal metamorphism events affecting the Sm/Nd ratios and prolonged open-system history. The EL3 chondrites are the best candidates as the Earth's building blocks. These new results remove the need to change the composition of refractory incompatible elements early in Earth's history.

Study of isomeric states in 198,200,202,206Pb and 206Hg populated in fragmentation reactions

Isomeric states in isotopes in the vicinity of doubly-magic 208Pb were populated following reactions of a relativistic 208Pb primary beam impinging on a 9Be fragmentation target. Secondary beams of 198,200,202,206Pb and 206Hg were isotopically separated and implanted in a passive stopper positioned in the focal plane of the GSI Fragment Separator. Delayed γ rays were detected with the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA). Decay schemes were re-evaluated and interpreted with shell-model calculations. The momentum-dependent population of isomeric states in the two-nucleon hole nuclei 206Pb/206Hg was found to differ from the population of multi neutron-hole isomeric states in 198,200,202Pb.

Re-examining the transition into the N = 20 island of inversion: Structure of 30Mg

Intermediate energy single-neutron removal from 31Mg has been employed to investigate the transition into the N=20 island of inversion. Levels up to 5 MeV excitation energy in 30Mg were populated and spin-parity assignments were inferred from the corresponding longitudinal momentum distributions and γ-ray decay scheme. Comparison with eikonal-model calculations also permitted spectroscopic factors to be deduced. Surprisingly, the 02+ level in 30Mg was found to have a strength much weaker than expected in the conventional picture of a predominantly 2p−2h intruder configuration having a large overlap with the deformed 31Mg ground state. In addition, negative parity levels were identified for the first time in 30Mg, one of which is located at low excitation energy. The results are discussed in the light of shell-model calculations employing two newly developed approaches with markedly different descriptions of the structure of 30Mg. It is concluded that the cross-shell effects in the region of the island of inversion at Z=12 are considerably more complex than previously thought and that np−nh configurations play a major role in the structure of 30Mg.

Excited negative parity bands in 160Yb

Negative parity rotational bands in Yb nucleus have been studied. They were populated in the 148Sm(16O, 4n)160Yb reaction at 90 MeV. The gamma-coincidence data have been collected using Indian National Gamma Array composed of twenty Compton suppressed clover germanium (Ge) detectors. Double gating on triple gamma coincidence data were selectively used to develop the decay scheme for these negative parity bands by identifying and taking care of the multiplet transitions. The even- and odd-spin negative parity bands in 160Yb have been studied by comparing the reduced transition probability ratios with the similar bands in neighbouring even–even rare earth nuclei. It is concluded that the concerned odd-spin and even-spin bands are not signature partners and that their structures are compatible with those of the ‘pear-shape’ and ‘pyramid-shape’ oscillations, respectively, the octupole shapes superposed with the quadrupole shape of the ground-state.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=164

Experimental nuclear structure data for the known A=164 isobaric nuclides (Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir) have been evaluated, and presented together with Adopted properties of level energies, and associated γ rays. The decay data for these nuclides have also been evaluated, providing Adopted values of γ and β radiations, and log ft values.No excited states are known in 164Eu, 164Tb, and 164Ir. Information for 164Gd, 164Re and 164Os is limited due to insufficient experimental data. For radioactive nuclides, decay schemes of 164Sm, 164Gd and 164Re are not known, and those of 164W, 164Tb, 164Lu, 164Hf, 164Ta and 164W are incomplete. The decay schemes of 164Ho and the two activities of 164Tm seem fairly complete. The decay scheme of 164Yb presents a major problem that the Q(ε) value of 887 keV 29 recommended in 2017Wa10 is in disagreement with the population of levels at 928, 952 and 1060 keV in the daughter nucleus. This decay scheme, which so far has been mainly reported in a secondary reference (1982AdZZ) needs further investigation. Also the masses of 164Yb and 164Tm need either new measurements or a re-evaluation to resolve discrepancy of about 220 keV in the Q value of 164Yb decay to 164Tm.The reactions and decays for which no new experimental information has become available since the 2001 update have undergone revisions to incorporate conversion coefficients from BrIcc code, and evaluated Q values from 2017Wa10, but the essential content of such datasets may have remained the same as in previous evaluations. In this respect the present work greatly benefited from all the previous NDS evaluations (2001Si27,1992Sh07, 1986Sh03,1974Bu30), but at the same time data presented herein supersede all the previous published evaluations.

Isospin Non-Conservation in Shell Model Approach and Applications*

Up to now, empirical shell-model Hamiltonians for valence space calculations provide the most accurate description of the low-energy spectra and individual transitions of sd- and pf-shell nuclei. These features made them of particular importance for the description of the isospin-symmetry-breaking phenomena, such as energy splitting of the isobaric multiplets or isospin-forbidden transition rates. In this contribution, we demonstrate the applications of a recently constructed isospin non-conserving (INC) Hamiltonian in sd shell [Lam et al. Phys. Rev. C 87, 054304 (2013)]. First, we explore the partial decay scheme of 24Si and discuss the states affected by the Thomas-Ehrman shift. Second, we show the accuracy of the INC Hamiltonian for the description of the mirror energy differences.

Excited States and Collectivity in 88Se

The γ decays of excited states in the very neutron-rich nucleus 88Se have been observed following the cold neutron-induced fission of 235U at the PF1B facility of the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Grenoble. The EXILL array was used to measure γ - γ - γ coincidences, which were then analysed to build a level scheme of 88Se. A low (2+1) energy hints at the onset of quadrupole deformation and the identification of possible members of a (2+2) band provide evidence for γ vibrations. Shell-model calculations using a 78Ni core reproduce the experimental decay scheme well, implying that interactions between particles in the π f5/2 p and vsd orbits are responsible for much of the collectivity present. The algebraic collective model has also been used to interpret the experimental data, showing that that the experimental spectrum is consistent with 88Se being a transitional nucleus, possessing weak static β deformation and γ instability.

Advances at TRIUMF-ISAC and decay of neutron-rich Cd studied with GRIFFIN

The β-decay half lives of nuclei near the r-process path are critical information required for abundance calculations, especially those near neutron number N = 82. Specifically, the nuclei below doubly-magic 132Sn are key, and play an important role in the formation and shape of the second r-process abundance peak. The half lives in this region are challenging to measure due to the significant β-delayed neutron decay branches and the population of isomeric states with half lives comparable to the ground states. However, by measuring the time distribution of γ rays, these complications can be eliminated. This requires, however, a very effcient γ-ray spectrometer since the production of isotopes in this region is very limited. The new GRIFFIN array at TRIUMF-ISAC provides the high effciency required for these measurements. Recent improvements in the quality of the beams produced at TRIUMF, employing the IG-LIS device, are outlined, as well as the current status of the ARIEL facility. The GRIFFIN spectrometer and its use are briefly described. The experiment to measure the half lives of 128-130Cd is outlined and the results given, and some examples of the power of GRIFFIN to expand decay schemes, specifically for the decay of 128Cd to 128In, are given.

Evolution of single-particle structure of silicon isotopes

New data on proton and neutron single-particle energies $E_{nlj}$ of Si isotopes with neutron number $N$ from 12 to 28 as well as occupation probabilities $N_{nlj}$ of single particle states of stable isotopes $^{28,30}$Si near the Fermi energy were obtained by the joint evaluation of the stripping and pick-up reaction data and excited state decay schemes of neighboring nuclei. The evaluated data indicate following features of single-particle structure evolution: persistence of $Z = 14$ subshell closure with $N$ increase, the new magicity of the number $N = 16$, and the conservation of the magic properties of the number $N = 20$ in Si isotopic chain. The features were described by the dispersive optical model. The calculation also predicts the weakening of $N = 28$ shell closure and demonstrates evolution of bubble-like structure of the proton density distributions in neutron-rich Si isotopes.

Imaging of Ra-223 solution using an optical method

Ra-223 has recently been introduced in alpha-targeting radionuclide therapy. According to the decay scheme of Ra-223, beta particles with higher energy than the Cerenkov-light threshold are emitted. In addition, there are reports that the alpha particles themselves emit luminescence in water and air. However, measured optical imaging results from Ra-223 have not yet been reported. Therefore, we conducted optical imaging of an Ra-223 solution and compared it with that of an F-18 solution. Ra-223 and F-18 solutions contained in transparent glass vials were imaged using a high-sensitivity CCD camera. We could obtain an image of the Ra-223 solution with radioactivity of 0.72 MBq in an acquisition time of less than 10 s. At the same level of radioactivity, the intensity of the optical signal in the solution part of the vial of Ra-223 was 21 times higher than that of F-18. Furthermore, in the air part of the vials, Ra-223 had higher luminescence than that of F-18. The light spectra for Ra-223 and F-18 solutions were similar, but those in the vials' air parts were different. The optical signals in the solution part of both Ra-223 and F-18 are attributed to Cerenkov light, while that in the air part of Ra-223 is attributed to the scintillation of N2 gas in air. No obvious luminescence of water by the alpha particles was observed. We concluded that optical imaging of the Ra-223 solution was possible, and this solution's light intensity was much higher than that of the F-18 solution and thus easier to detect. Therefore, Ra-223 is a promising radionuclide for optical imaging in distribution measurements.

Detailed α -decay study of Tl180

A detailed $\alpha$-decay spectroscopy study of $^{180}\mathrm{Tl}$ has been performed at ISOLDE (CERN). $Z$-selective ionization by the Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) coupled to mass separation provided a high-purity beam of $^{180}\mathrm{Tl}$. Fine-structure $\alpha$ decays to excited levels in the daughter $^{176}\mathrm{Au}$ were identified and an $\alpha$-decay scheme of $^{180}\mathrm{Tl}$ was constructed based on an analysis of $\alpha$-$\gamma$ and $\alpha$-$\gamma$-$\gamma$ coincidences. Multipolarities of several $\gamma$-ray transitions deexciting levels in $^{176}\mathrm{Au}$ were determined. Based on the analysis of reduced $\alpha$-decay widths, it was found that all $\alpha$ decays are hindered, which signifies a change of configuration between the parent and all daughter states.

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=244

Available information pertaining to the nuclear structure of ground and excited states for all known nuclei with mass numbers A=244 have been compiled and evaluated. The adopted level and decay schemes, as well as the detailed nuclear properties and configuration assignments based on experimental data are presented for these nuclides. When there are insufficient data, expected values from systematics of nuclear properties and/or theoretical calculations are quoted. Unexpected or discrepant experimental results are also noted. Information provided in 244U is tentative as it is from the possible production in the study of 1960Di03 of debris of the first large-scale thermonuclear test (Ivy Mike) of November 1, 1952 in the Pacific Ocean. No new experimental data are available for 244Np with the information for g.s Jπ considered tentative. Experimental work is needed for 244Np as theoretical work and systematics along with the Gallagher-Moszkowski rules that suggest either Jπ=2+ or 7−. Jπ = (7−) g.s has been considered by the evaluator due to population of high spin states in the beta decay study. In 244Pu, a new K isomer was identified and in addition rotational bands built on the isomer have been observed via the deep inelastic excitation. However, there has been no new measurements since the last evaluation to determine the ratio of the energy levels of the first 4+ state to the first 2+ state (E4+/E2+) in 244Pu that showed a discrepancy from a typical value of 3.333. In the current evaluation, the evaluator has considered the 110γ measured in the 244Np β-decay questionable. Further research into the determination of the gammas depopulating these levels is necessary. In 244Am, specifically the (d,p) transfer reaction and in the (n, γ) secondary γ's, there are a large number of gammas that are unplaced. Since its last measurement in 1966, the electron capture dataset has been updated with a tentative partial level scheme for 244Cm which also provided a new half-life measurement for 244Bk. In 244Fm, a fusion evaporation experiment measured the half-life and provided upper limits for the SF, α decay, and ε branching. A summary and compilation of the discovery of various isotopes in this mass region is given in 2013Fr02 (244Np, 244Pu, 244Am, 244Cm, 244Bk, and 244Cf), 2011Me01 (244Es), and 2013Th02 (244Fm). This work supersedes the 2003 evaluation by Y.A. Akovali (2003Ak04).

EXILL—a high-efficiency, high-resolution setup for γ-spectroscopy at an intense cold neutron beam facility

In the EXILL campaign a highly efficient array of high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors was operated at the cold neutron beam facility PF1B of the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) to carry out nuclear structure studies, via measurements of γ-rays following neutron-induced capture and fission reactions. The setup consisted of a collimation system producing a pencil beam with a thermal capture equivalent flux of about 108 n s−1cm−2 at the target position and negligible neutron halo. The target was surrounded by an array of eight to ten anti-Compton shielded EXOGAM Clover detectors, four to six anti-Compton shielded large coaxial GASP detectors and two standard Clover detectors. For a part of the campaign the array was combined with 16 LaBr3:(Ce) detectors from the FATIMA collaboration. The detectors were arranged in an array of rhombicuboctahedron geometry, providing the possibility to carry out very precise angular correlation and directional-polarization correlation measurements. The triggerless acquisition system allowed a signal collection rate of up to 6 × 105 Hz. The data allowed to set multi-fold coincidences to obtain decay schemes and in combination with the FATIMA array of LaBr3:(Ce) detectors to analyze half-lives of excited levels in the pico- to microsecond range. Precise energy and efficiency calibrations of EXILL were performed using standard calibration sources of 133Ba, 60Co and 152Eu as well as data from the reactions 27Al(n,γ)28Al and 35Cl(n,γ)36Cl in the energy range from 30 keV up to 10 MeV.

Standardization of 67Cu and calibration of the ionization chamber. Impurities and decay scheme problems

This paper describes the standardization of 67Cu by the 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence method, and the calibration of ionization chamber. The difficulties were. (i) One of the excited levels of 67Zn has a half life of 9.10μs. (ii) A recent publication reconsiders the decay scheme parameters. (iii) The solution had a significant content of impurities. The conclusions were that the result of absolute standardization is less influenced by the decay scheme parameters and impurities than the measurements by ionization chamber.

Application of the sum-peak method to activity standardizations of 152Eu sources in LNMRI (BR)

The sum-peak method, an absolute measurement technique that uses coincidence counting and γ-ray spectrometry, was applied to activity standardization of 152Eu sources. The decay branch used was that of 152Sm, as it is almost entirely electron capture and exhibits X-rays with a high probability of coincidence with the 121.8keVgamma rays, as evidenced by the matrix technique used for complex decay schemes, a method for deriving counting rate equations describing coincidence summing of gamma and X-rays. The result was compared with the calibration performed by ionization chamber traceable to BIPM. The results presented uncertainty values of 0.50% (k = 1).

Abstract ID: 155 OpenDose: A collaborative effort to produce reference dosimetric data with Monte Carlo simulation software

Radiopharmaceutical dosimetry for diagnostic and therapy uses reference data describing energy deposition from a source to target tissues. Reference data are usually expressed as S-values, i.e. mean absorbed dose in a target from a source decay (Gy.Bq-1.s-1). The OpenDose project aims at providing an open database of robust reference S-values generated from different Monte Carlo (MC) software, through an international collaboration. The ICRP 110 reference adult female [1] was chosen as the first model, with 140 segmented tissues-organs and a voxel size of 1.775 × 1.775 × 4.84 mm3. Specific Absorbed Fractions (SAFs) are being computed for different sources, with mono-energetic photons and electrons. S-values will be generated by interpolating these mono-energetic SAFs for isotope decay schemes [2] . Producing data with different software using various physics lists will allow a cross-verification of the results and their associated uncertainties. The OpenDose project already includes 12 research teams and 5 of the most popular MC software used in radiopharmaceutical dosimetry: Geant4/GATE, Fluka, EGSnrc/EGS++, MCNP/MCNPX and Penelope. A total of 46 source tissues-organs have so far been simulated with GATE for mono-energetic particles (photons + electrons) from 5 keV to 10 MeV. Each simulation requires ∼ 1 day of computation on a single CPU for 108 primary particles and produces a 3D map (voxel-based) of absorbed doses and uncertainties. When available, the data from the other software will be analysed and compared in terms of SAFs for different targets and energies. Next steps include the integration of SAFs to provide S-values and build the database to allow Nuclear Medicine centres to easily access and use the data. Through a collaboration of research teams using different MC techniques, we are developing a freely accessible database of reference dosimetric data. A preliminary study using the ICRP adult female model is ongoing. The project is open to new research teams to increase the variety of software and will expand to more computational models and studies.

Production of 99Mo/99mTc via photoneutron reaction using natural molybdenum and enriched 100Mo: part 1, theoretical analysis

A theoretical analysis was performed for the production of 99Mo via the 100Mo(γ,n)99Mo reaction using natural (natMo) and enriched (100Mo) molybdenum targets in a modified NIRTA® Targetry system. High energy electrons from a linear accelerator were simulated on a tungsten converter to produce bremsstrahlung incident on molybdenum targets using the TALYS computer code. All open channels and decay schemes were used to assess the production rates and final amounts of radioactive and stable components at end-of-bombardment (3-day irradiation), and after 2 h of cooling. Computations were performed at an accelerator energy of 40 MeV, correlating to a maximized photon fluence at 14 MeV. Impurities of Zr and Nb were found when utilizing enriched 100Mo (excluding Mo isotopes). Targets utilizing natMo added substantial stable and radioactive impurities of Mo, Nb, Zr, Y, and Sr; however, all but the Mo impurities can be readily separated. This study confirms the potential of producing 99Mo via 100Mo(γ,n)99Mo using natMo with manageable impurities.